Man gets over 24 years for killing girlfriend

A 56-year-old man was sentenced Wednesday to more than 24 years (295 months) in prison for killing his girlfriend, 39-year-old Shaqita Thomas.

Kelvin Maurice Perry was given credit for 611 days already served and must pay $7,500 in restitution.

Thomas was found dead in her downtown St. Paul apartment in November 2023 after her husband requested a welfare check on her. Thomas and her husband were separated but still legally married.

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Perry, Thomas’ boyfriend, had accused her of sleeping with her husband after the two stayed at the hospital overnight because their son had an asthma attack, Thomas’ friend told police.

Surveillance footage from Thomas’ apartment building shows her and Perry going into her apartment the next morning. Perry was seen leaving the apartment two and a half hours later and key fob data shows the apartment wasn’t accessed between then and when medics arrived for a welfare check.

A woman who knew Perry because he had resided at one of her sober homes and dated another woman she knew told investigators that Perry was “dangerous, violent, and no good” for Thomas. The woman who had dated Perry in the past also noted his violent and jealous tendencies, adding that she also heard from Perry’s brother that Perry said he had “choked [Thomas] out.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, several resources are available to offer help. For immediate help, contact:

The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

Minnesota Day One at 866-223-1111.

The Women’s Advocates crisis line at 651-227-8284.

More than 12 million people just in the U.S. are affected by domestic violence every year, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

The organizations listed above can help connect victims to resources like safe shelter, advocacy, legal help and support groups.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline also offers tips for identifying abuse and supporting victims of abuse. CLICK HERE to see those.

Other organizations that can help include:

Violence Free Minnesota at 651-646-6177 or 800-289-6177.

STANDPOINT(formerly the Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy Project) at 612-343-9842.

Mending the Sacred Hoop at 888-305-1650.

Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault at 612-209-9993.

Minnesota also has a list of many other resources for victims of crimes that can be found HERE.

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